From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 293

293 Hidden Motives

“Go ahead,” Zaden instructed quietly.

Athena didn’t waste time getting to the point. “Can you dig into Roxanne’s connection with Maya? I have a strong feeling she’s the one who leaked that video.”

Zaden’s expression darkened instantly, tension tightening his jaw. The medical institute was the very place he had arranged for Athena, yet now it seemed like a mole had infiltrated the ranks. The thought that he might have unknowingly put her in harm’s way gnawed at him relentlessly.

“Alright,” he muttered in a low voice, “I’ll find out immediately. If it’s her, I’ll have the director fire her on the spot.”

Athena quickly held up a hand, stopping him. “Wait. Don’t jump to conclusions yet. First, confirm if she really has ties to Maya. If that’s true, we can’t alert her just yet—I have other plans to handle this.”

Zaden nodded silently, understanding the gravity of the situation.

After ending the call, Athena exhaled deeply, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. Even when she was abroad, there was no safety, no respite. Maya’s influence stretched far and wide, and Athena knew she had to remain vigilant, constantly on guard.

About five minutes later, her phone buzzed with a message from Zaden.

“Dr. Wood’s full name is Roxanne Wood. She and Maya graduated from the same school.”

Reading the message, Athena’s brows knitted together, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes. Just as she had suspected—Roxanne was the one behind it all.

Suddenly, a voice broke through her thoughts. “Athena! What are you doing here? You need to get to the operating room. Dr. Wood’s been searching for you everywhere!”

It was one of the interns, rushing over with a nervous urgency. “Seriously, Dr. Wood’s been calling several times. The simulation surgery has to start immediately. You better hurry—don’t keep her waiting.”

Athena’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Got it,” she replied coolly.

When she finally entered the operating room, dressed and ready for the procedure, Roxanne was already there, waiting. Her face bore a flicker of irritation, but as soon as she spotted Athena, her frown softened slightly—though the annoyance in her eyes remained unmistakable.

Wearing a carefully crafted fake smile, Roxanne approached, feigning concern. “Athena, where were you just now? We’ve been searching everywhere! Time’s running out. We need to start the simulation surgery right away.”

Her voice was sharp, laced with anxiety, as if she feared something and was desperate to get the procedure underway.

Athena responded calmly, “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t feel up to starting this morning. Let’s postpone it until the afternoon.”

Roxanne froze for a moment, caught off guard.

She had assumed Athena had fled earlier out of nervousness or fear, which secretly pleased her; after all, nervousness often led to failure. But she hadn’t expected Athena to cancel the session entirely.

“I’m sure you’re right,” Athena said lightly. “I am nervous, so I’ll need to wait until this afternoon to perform the surgery. Thanks for understanding, Dr. Wood.”

Roxanne’s expression froze in shock. She hadn’t expected Athena to insist on postponing after all her efforts to persuade her.

Pressing the issue further would only make Roxanne appear suspicious.

Swallowing her frustration, she forced a smile. Fine—if she couldn’t trip Athena up today, she’d just send the video to Maya later. That would stir enough trouble on its own.

Athena returned to her hotel room to rest.

Zaden wasn’t there.

She grabbed her phone and called him.

“Where are you?” she asked.

“I’m in a meeting at Storm Group’s overseas branch,” Zaden replied, sounding surprised. “Did something happen? Stay at the hotel for now. I’ll handle that doctor later.”